There are only few paths to follow for those that love Jiu Jitsu so much that they want to make a career of it. Among the most common are you either to teach or you transition to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Although there are more opportunities as a Jiu Jitsu […]

In any sport having a phenomenal instructors and coaches can make all the difference. An athlete with just raw talent can only get so far without guidance. Having someone that believes in you can shape the course of your entire life. A strong support system builds confidence and will create […]

Living the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle isn’t for everyone. But for Mylene Ramos Engle, co-owner of Chris Engle Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Las Vegas, Nevada there is no other way to live. She took some time out of her busy schedule to talk with us about who she is, her inspiration […]

My jiu jitsu has not been a bed of roses this year. In fact, it has pretty much sucked and I admit I have been in the depths of a raging pity party. This year it seems like it has been filled with injuries, health issues, losing my favorite training […]

When it comes to finding a Jiu Jitsu academy the process can be frustrating and it may take you a few tries to find the right one. It can also be scary and intimidating to walk into a new academy and be the new kid on the block. What if […]

Things don’t always turn out how we expect, but sometimes when life takes us on a detour, we end up finding just what we are looking for. Case in point: Pri Bispo and her family, who immigrated to America to seek out a better life. In her search for better […]

Once you become a parent your life is forever changed. You take on a life-long job of loving, protecting and supporting your kin. Our influence as parents encourages our children, but often they end up inspiring us as well. Christy Synan’s daughter Hailee did just that. Ten years ago Christy was motivated by watching her youngest daughter Hailee train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

“I remember thinking ‘Wow! She’s really a tough little lady!’” Christy said. “The more I educated myself about jiu jitsu, and watched a few other women train, I decided I must try it. Once I hit the mats, I never turned back.”

Fast forward 10 years later and Christy and her husband Kevin, who is a Roberto Traven black belt, now own Fighting Chance Fitness in St. Augustine, Florida. Jiu jitsu is a family affair. After taking some time off, her daughter Hailee returned to training regularly and competed for the first time in nine years at the Atlanta Winter International Open. Her other daughter, Aubrie, also trains occasionally to keep up on her self-defense skills. And her son Julian is a partner in the academy.

“I believe that people become complacent with their lives and accept limitations,” Christy said. “Jiu jitsu will open doors that most people don’t realize were even there — let alone closed. It allows a person of any age to push through and past the most difficult of mental and physical barriers.”

Christy says she has become healthier, happier, and more confident and focused through jiu jitsu. Although Christy is a firm believer in the benefits of jiu jitsu, she says the one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for all females. She believes that you have to listen and learn what each female is looking in their training.

“Everyone’s journey is different and a lot of the time people don’t even realize they are missing something until it is introduced to them,” she said. “I always address that the camaraderie of your fellow jiu jitsu family is unparalleled.”

Author:

Shama Ko

Girls in Gis staff writer

Shama Ko is a brown belt with Gracie Humaita out of Austin, TX. She has been a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner since November of 2003. She is a photographer, writer, community organizer and activist. She heads the Girls in Gis organization or as she calls it the “movement”. She describes herself as both a lover and a fighter. She loves to laugh and not take life too seriously.

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